Obituaries

Louis H. Jacomme, of Fair Haven and Ségus, France, passed away at home surrounded by family on January 28, 2023, at the age of 89. Louis was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to French parents in diplomatic service. He was a graduate of Lycée St. Louis and École Polytechnique de Paris. He received the M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Colorado where he was sent by the French Air Force.

William P. Vamvas passed unexpectedly on February 2, 2023. He was born in Brooklyn, NY and resided in Belford, NJ for the last twelve years. William attended Long Branch High School where he wrestled. William was a self employed commercial and residential painter with many longstanding customers in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. He also was a member of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, DC 711-694. William was an avid fisherman, bicycling enthusiast, movie watcher and general handyman. He loved political arguments of all kinds. Mostly, he valued spending time with his immediate family.

Anne "Nancy" Cottell passed away Monday January 30, 2023 at the age of 84.

Nancy, the youngest of nine, was born in Ballinagh, County Cavan, Ireland.  

As Nancy was growing up her father was a focal point of her life as her mother died when she was very young.  Nancy had a profound love for her father and developed a deep respect for him as he was a single parent that operated a full-time business.  She passed on these feelings to her two sons Peter and Patrick frequently saying, "I wish you knew my father".  She also imbued in them a sense of 'Irish' determination.

Harvey Stewart, age 80 of Long Branch, NJ, died peacefully January 29, 2023.

A lifelong resident of the Jersey Shore, Harvey lived in Fair Haven for 45 years and in Long Branch for the past 35 years. He was a graduate of Rumson Fair Haven High School, class of 1958 and a graduate of Paul Smith’s college where he received his degree in Forest Engineering. He enlisted in the Navy in 1962 and was a distinguished veteran, having served two tours in Vietnam.

Harvey’s career spanned over 30 years with Philip J. Bowers, a real estate firm that built many office complexes, including the development of the Red Bank Airport, the building of City Centre in Red Bank and New Shrewsbury Racquet Club in Tinton Falls, N.J.

Kenneth R. Duffié, 88, of Tinton Falls, passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Ken was introduced to his beloved, Patricia Kiernan, at a fair in Middletown and they fell in love over the next few years. Ken and Pat married and went on to raise four loving children in Shrewsbury, NJ and later Oceanport, NJ. Ken loved spending time with his family, especially on holidays and during their annual summer family vacations to Yosemite, Yellowstone, Olympic, and Acadia National Parks, Lake Tahoe, Lake George, Seattle and Port Townsend, and more. He especially loved spending time in France and recently celebrated his 88^th birthday there in Geneva with his French relatives, during which time he also enjoyed a river cruise down the Rhone River and visited Monte Carlo and Italy. Those who knew Ken had the privilege of experiencing his unwavering love, hearing his fun-hearted dad jokes, and listening to stories about his life, his family, and his cats.

Le Roy “Bud” Bunnell (96) died of natural causes on Monday, January 30. He was cared for briefly at the VA Hospital in East Orange, New Jersey where he was the recipient of extraordinary end-of-life care.

Bud grew up in Glen Ridge, New Jersey and graduated from Glen Ridge High School in 1944. Following graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Signalman aboard LST 958 in the South Pacific. He was fortunate to have survived a failed Kamikaze attack on his ship and to ride out a major typhoon. Bud graduated from Pace Institute in New York (now Pace University) and received a business degree from the University of Miami. 

Bud obtained his real estate license in 1947 and in 1950 joined his father’s firm in Normandy Beach, NJ where he served as the developing broker for Curtis Point and Mantoloking Shores. Bud was honored in 2016 when he served as Grand Marshal in the parade celebrating the 100^th Anniversary of Normandy Beach. After selling Bunnell Real Estate in 1983, he joined the Rumson office of Gloria Nilson Realtors. He retired at the age of 90 after nearly 70 years in the business. 

Carl J. Colmorgen, 81, passed away on January 31, 2023. He was born in Long Branch, NJ and spent his childhood in Red Bank. He graduated from Red Bank High School in 1959 and had played baseball when they won the Shore Conference. He later got a degree from Monmouth College.

He spent 30 years living in Tampa, Florida. There he worked selling, first insurance and later golf equipment. When he closed Carl’s Golf in Safety Harbor, he retired back to Red Bank.

At home, he umpired baseball games and served as a crossing guard in Red Bank. Everyone recognized him because he wore crazy hats on holidays while crossing the children. He was a member of the Red Bank Fire Police.

William J. “Bill” Kelly, 98, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2023 following a brief illness.

Bill was born on December 24, 1924, in Red Bank, NJ. Truly a member of WWII’s “Greatest Generation,” Bill joined the United States Army shortly after his 18^th birthday and served in Gen. Patton’s 3^rd Army, 286th Field Artillery Observation, B Battery, Flash Platoon. He was at the Battle of the Bulge and remained in Germany for the Occupation. The members of his unit remained lifelong friends.

Upon his return to Red Bank, always home, he met and married Jean Louise McConnell the love of his life.

Nancy Ann Birkenmeier MacConnell, of Middletown, formerly of Little Silver, passed away at home on January 25, 2023. She was 92 years old. Nancy was predeceased by her parents Robert and Elizabeth Birkenmeier; her sister Betsy Mueller; brother R. Barrett Birkenmeier; her husband Donald W. MacConnell in 1996 and her son Wylie in 1960.

Nancy was a 65-year member of the Tower Hill Presbyterian Church where she was a deacon from 2002 to 2004. She was a volunteer at Riverview Medical Center where she was President of the Ladies Auxiliary from 1950 to 1960. She was a member for 35 years of the Surfrider Beach Club and later at Sands Beach Club in Sea Bright.

It is with sadness in our hearts that we announce the passing of Thomas P Argentieri, 75 years old, of Neptune/Shrewsbury, NJ.  Tom passed away peacefully January 24th after a long and valiant battle with multiple myeloma.  Tom was raised in Hornell, NY and graduated from Georgetown University in 1969.  Upon graduation he attended Boston University Law School, graduating in 1973. After law school, Tom settled in Monmouth County, NJ and began working for the Public Defender’s office in Newark, NJ.  He then went on to establish his own private practice in Red Bank, NJ, finishing his career as an in-house council for C.N.A. Insurance Company.